Firstly, let's cut right to the chase. Is 21 racist? The film itself isn't but the powers that brought the film to the screen certainly are. You see, 21 is based on the true story of Jeff Ma, a brilliant M.I.T. student, who would go on to take part in a card counting gambling scam to earn money to pay for his schooling. The real Jeff Ma is of Asian descent, but in 21, he's portrayed by up and coming British actor Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe). Now I could almost understand the studio going with an actor like Matt Damon or Leonardo DiCaprio. Those actors have pedigree. They can open a movie. That makes sense. But Jim Sturgess? Don't get me wrong, the guy is a fine actor, but he doesn't exactly have box office clout. Why didn't the film makers allow 21 supporting player Aaron Yoo to play the lead. He proved extremely affable in both Disturbia and the upcoming The Wackness. Instead, he's reduced to the token klepto role. It just doesn't make any sense. I'm sure the studio will simply fall back on the "it's inspired by a true story" defense. What a crock!

As for the movie itself, it's moderately entertaining – at least for half of it's running time. Director Robert Luketic has fashioned a slick, flashy, and hip look at the gambling world as seen through the eyes of a hot shot squad of young card counters. It's certainly a vast improvement over Luketic's last directorial effort, the dismal Monster-In Law.

Where 21 truly fails is in the writing. It isn't true enough to be considered a decent bio pic and it isn't unpredictable enough to work as a straight up thriller. The film opens strong enough. Jim Sturgess is quietly effective as Ben Campbell (his name has been changed to protect the innocent) and the chemistry between he and his school buddies is terrific. Before long, math professor Micky Rosa (played by a cocky Kevin Spacey) recruits Campbell to take part in a card counting scam in Las Vegas. At first, Campbell is reluctant, but when he sees the kind of money Rosa's team is pulling in, he agrees to join the crew. Almost instantly, Campbell falls in love with his new life, but when he and the rest of his team come face to face with Vegas security man Cole Williams (played by Laurence Fishburne), things quickly go south.

21 is an easy movie to pick a part. The way this team of so-called geniuses signal one another at the tables is laughable. I didn't buy any of it. And the way the team pretend to not know each other, but then convieniently walk into the same hotel room together is equally laughable. The most ridiculous aspect of the movie though, comes in the final act. Micky Rosa is supposed to be this absolute genius, but in the end of the movie he does something that makes no sense at all. It's a complete out of character moment. Flat out stupid.

Having said all of this, there is a certain level of entertainment to be found in 21. With all the glitz, glamor, and cash, it's easy to see why these students would be so quick to jump into this lifestyle, and it was interesting watching Campbell try to juggle two separate lives – that of a struggling student and a worshiped high roller. Had the movie been shorter and had it avoided throwing in so many obvious double crosses, it might have been more effective. On a final note, props to a stellar soundtrack!